Last week, Sightline’s policy director Eric de Place discussed the alarming growth of oil train traffic in the Northwest, as well as the implications of large-scale methanol production in Tacoma. Eric looked at the costs and consequences of these new projects proposed for Tacoma and examined how these projects are connected to a range of other proposals around the Northwest for coal exports, oil pipelines, and petrochemical sites.

Here is the entirety of the presentation thanks to the University of Washington Tacoma. Enjoy the video and share it with someone unfamiliar with the topic. Together, our region can stand tall against coal and oil companies’ plans to turn the Northwest into a superhighway for dirty energy. Please continue to spread the word on what we all can do to help keep the Thin Green Line strong. If you’d like to get involved further, you can connect with other leading advocacy organizations like Power Past Coal, Stand Up To Oil, and Citizens for a Healthy Bay in Tacoma.

Comments

Diane Dick

October 27, 2015 at 11:50 am

Super presentation!! Thank you Sightline, Eric, and UW.

Especially appreciate introducing concerns about light hydrocarbons. Please note the methanol project farthest along is NW Innovation Works in Kalama, supported by Gov. Inslee. Besides the extraordinary amount of water required by converting natural gas to methanol, an equally extraordinary amount of energy/electricity is required. The Kalama project decided against burning natural gas for their power because of costly air pollution regulations and will impact the local public utility district instead. The draft environmental impact statement is estimated to be released this winter.

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Founded in 1993, Sightline Institute is committed to making the Northwest a global model of sustainability, with strong communities, a green economy, and a healthy environment. We work to promote smart policy ideas and monitor the region's progress towards sustainability.